A NEW boutique nightclub opened its golden vault-like doors in Abu Dhabi recently, redefining the UAE capital city’s nightlife and ushering in a new interactive club experience for the partying fraternity.

Located in The Collection adjacent to the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, People by Crystal fuses the appeal of an ultra-exclusive lounge and a high-energy nightclub, featuring the most technologically advanced lighting – the first of its kind in the region – and high fidelity sound.

The Collection, consisting of a mix of 22 restaurants and retail outlets, is a unique, high-end retail complex on Saadiyat island, which is set to be the ultimate recreational destination in Abu Dhabi. The nightclub brings the People by Crystal concept, that was initially born and bred in Dubai in 2010, to Abu Dhabi.

The venue’s bold architectural design, combined with a lush and luxurious interior, sets the stage for an indulgent experience in premium services, high-end products, and international entertainment.

The plush nightspot has been conceptualised by Prospect Design International, a boutique interior design firm specialising in restaurants, nightclubs, lounges and beach clubs. Some of its latest work in the UAE includes the VIP Room at Movida club, Armani Prive (VIP lounge at Armani Hotel), Sass Café, 40 Kong, Provocateur, Clinton Street Baking, Eric Kayser, and China White.

People by Crystal Abu Dhabi occupies an area of 5,414 sq ft on Level One of The Collection. It has seating capacity for 250 and 150 standing, says Fady Chams, managing director of Prospect Design International.

Design work on the project started in May 2013 and the project was completed in May this year.

Describing the firm’s scope of works on the project, he says: “The project brief provided by the client – Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Abu Dhabi –  was to reproduce the People by Crystal club atmosphere created in Beirut (Lebanon) but with an upgrade in terms of materials and finishes. The club layout had to be functional and well organised.”

Chams explains that the firm’s focus was to introduce elements resembling crystal and diamonds throughout the venue in the design and create a vault door at the main entrance of the club – an allusion to the opulence of the place.

“There are many striking design features such as the customised back-lit diamond/crystal-shaped cladding at the entrance, the safe-like door to the club, the Swarovski panel at the reception area, the LED (light emitting diode) screens that extend from the walls to the ceiling above the people’s head,” he says. “An important design feature is also the mirror infinity effect above the VIP areas. Finally, the Madrix lighting on top of the bar is absolutely superb and is a brand new technology never used in the Middle East before.”

The main colour scheme for the project is gold, black, onyx and anthracite grey. Most of the materials and finishes used were sourced locally such as the veneers and onyx marble. Other finishes such as the leather is from Italy.

People by Crystal ... high-energy nightclub.

“I am extremely happy with the overall outcome of the project considering that the venue is not very big and that we were able to create so many special features and different finishes like the screens on the wall that double up as the ceiling, which is particularly amazing and gives a whole new dimension to the nightclub design,” says Chams.

People by Crystal was created by The Crystal Group, an enterprise that boasts hospitality, sophistication and style. Since its creation in 2003, the group has created, designed, and operated over 15 restaurant, bar, club and beach retreat concepts in Lebanon, the UAE and in Europe.

“With our experts’ depth of knowledge, expertise and customised solutions, we strive to bring our guests concepts of theatrical experience,” says a spokesperson for the Crystal Group.

“From innovative concept creation to business development and management services, our unparalleled experience, collaborative management style and effective training methods result in improved performances at all levels. Our consulting services offer the hospitality industry best-practice solutions for unique opportunities,” he adds.

The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is located on Saadiyat Island, located 500 m off the coast of Abu Dhabi, the development of which is being spearheaded by TDIC, a master-developer of key cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi. TDIC’s philosophy is based on delivering best practice across every segment in which it operates – whether it be luxurious desert resorts, nature-based tourism destinations, world-class cultural hubs or mixed-use urban redevelopments.

Every TDIC project is designed to live up to the company’s core values of environmental sustainability, progressive partnerships, cultural stewardship and socio-economic viability.